Williams Lake man charged in fatal, fiery crash on Highway 1 near Spences Bridge

LYTTON, B.C. — A charge has been laid in relation to a fiery crash that killed two people on the Trans-Canada Highway near Spences Bridge last year. 

In an update Wednesday (Aug. 26), BC Highway Patrol says 44-year-old Joel Chenier of Williams Lake is charged with driving without due care and attention under the BC Motor Vehicle Act. The charge was approved by the BC Prosecution Service on Aug. 6, 2026. 

Just before 5:00 p.m. on Aug. 14, 2025, Lytton RCMP say they were told of a collision between a southbound SUV and a northbound pickup on the stretch of Highway 1. Police say it’s believed the SUV crossed the centre line and collided with the pickup.